A jaguar is a heavily built large cat of the Americas. It often lives near water and swims well.
Its back rosettes often contain black spots. It has a more heavily built body than a leopard.
Jaguars at Taiamã in Brazil catch fish in rivers and flooded forests, including catfish and piranhas. These large terrestrial cats also obtain food from the water.
Camera surveys in 2014, 2015 and 2018 recorded two males fishing together. The same pair also passed another camera together on two separate occasions. Their association therefore included travelling as well as fishing.
Another pair of males spent 30 minutes rubbing, rolling and gently biting in play. The authors suggest a connection between abundant aquatic food and tolerance of companions. These wetland observations reveal several situations in which jaguars spend time close together.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Protecting Taiamã also involves responding to fires approaching its habitats. In November 2023, its management agency reported constructing fire-defence lines linking rivers, supported by boats and helicopters. At the time of the report, flames had not entered the station, and surveillance continued in case the fire spread again.